Packing device for paper cups and the like



Dec. 9, 1924- 1,518,481 P. F. BUCHANAN PACKING DEVICE FOR PAPER CUPS AND THE LIKE Filed May 10, 1924 Patented D sc. 9, 1924-.

PETER BUGH.-.TAl\l. OF LONDON. GI TA E..RIG. G FAHF PACKING DEVICE FOE-E PAPER filiill LIKE Application filed May 10,

To all whom it may conceive:

Be it known that 1, PETER F. Brcnanan, a subject of the King of Great Britain, of the city of London, in the county of Middlesex, Province of @ntario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Packing Devices for Paper Cups and the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for packing in tubular cardboard cartons paper cups and the like with crimped walls as they are expelled from the forming dies, and

my object is to provide packing mechanism which can be attached to any machine in which the cups are expelled through an orifice, and which will pack and closely nest the cups directly in the tubular carton.

I attain my object by means of the constructions hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section of my improved packing apparatus;

Fig. 2 a cross section of the same;

Fig. 3 an elevation, partly in section, of part of the device showing more particularly part of the sleeve to which the movable ratchet racks are connected and the tubular support carrying the stationary racks; and

Fig. 4: a side elevation illustrating operating means for the movable racks.

In the drawings like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

1 represents part of a paper cup machine provided with a discharge tube 2 through which the formed cups are forced. A ring 3 is secured to the machine concentric with the discharge tube 2, which ring is internally threaded to engage threads formed in the exterior of the tubular support 4. This tubular support carries a plurality of stationary ratchet racks 5. These are preferably annular segments in cross section and are evenly spaced. Alternated with the sta tionary ratchet racks'are a plurality of movable ratchet racks 6, also annular segments in cross section, and preferably arranged to completely fill the spaces between the stationary ratchet racks. These movable racks are contained within and secured to a sleeve 7. On reference to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the stationary ratchet racks are formed integral with the tubular support 4, while the movable ratchet racks are secured to the sleeve 7 by means of the screws lhe sleeve 7' has secured to its inner side adjacent the top two diametrically opposite blocks 9 which are movable in slots 10 cut in the tubular support 4, which will serve as guides for the sleeve. To these blocks a rin 2 3 con nected by means of the screws which extend through the sleeve 7, the blocks 9 and into the ring 23. The dischai will be noted, is cut aivzz to p9: a for the ring, which projects inwardly be yond the points of the teeth of the racks.

At opposite sides the sleeve is provided with trunnions 11 formed on plates secured to the side of the tube by means of screws 12. A forked lever 18 is fulcruined on a suitable stationary support l and is pivotally connected with the trunnions by means of links 15. at is evident that by reciprocating the lever, the movable tracks may be recipro cated longitudinally of the stationary racks. In practice this lever will be connected with some movable part of the paper-cup machine so that a downward movement of the movable racks occurs every time a cup is formed and-ejected, though, of course the lever may be operated manually lDSlIOzltl.

16 is a cup support located in alincnient with the discharge end of the device. This cup support must be so supported that it will yield as cups are ejected by the device. In the preferred construction the support carried by an arm 17 connected with a slide 18 movable on a guide 19 parallel to the axis of the device. While it may sufiice to have the support yieldable on the application of sufficient pressure to overcome friction of the slide on its guide, if pro to havethe slide an easy fit and to yieldingly retain it .in position by means of the cable 20, which extends over a guide pulley 21 and has a weight 22 secured to its other end.

The operation of the device is substantially as follows. The cups are ejected one by one from the tube 2 and as these cups have crimped walls, an expelled cup e1:- pands beneath the lower end of the dis charge tube with its rim below the lower side of the ring 23. As the movable racks descend the ring engages the rim of the cup and starts it downward perfectly straight, that is with the plane of rim exactly at right angles to the axis of the discharge tube. The ring carries the cup down far enough for its rim to expand beneath the first teeth of the stationary racks. The ring with the movable racks then rises and the first tooth of each rack rides past the rim of the cup. On the next depression of the movable racks, the upper edge of this cup is carried below the second tooth of each of the stationary racks, and thus held during the next return stroke of the movable racks. As cups continue to be ejected and the movement of the movable ratchet racks is continued, the first cup is moved down the stationary racks and further cups are positioned one by one above it, the cups being separated-by the length of a tooth ofthe stationary racks. When the first cup passes the last tooth of each stationary rack, its rim will expand beneath the lower ends of these racks and the cup will rest on the support 16. The next cup is pressed by the support yielding as may be necessary to provide room for the cups between the support and the bottom of the stationary racks.

The carton 23, in which the cups are to be placed, is slipped over the sleeve 7 as indicated and moves down as the cups are placed on the support 16. As soon as this carton is full, the machine is stopped, the

full carton removed and an empty one placed in position. It will be understood of course that cups and the like of other than circular form in plan may be packed by means of my device, any changes in form necessary being within capacity of any skilled mechanic.

What I claim is 1. In a packing device for paper cups the combination of a plurality of spaced" sta tionary ratchet racks adapted to be positioned about the discharge orifice of a paper cup machine; a plurality of movable ratchet racks alternated with the stationary racks and adapted to be reciprocated in a direction parallel therewith; and a cup support yieldably supported in line with the discharge end of the device.

2. A packing device constructed as set forth in claim 1 in which all the racks are annular segments in cross section.

3. In a packing device for paper cups,

the combination of a plurality of spaced stationary racks; a tubularsupportfor said racks adapted to be secured about the discharge orifice of a paper cup machine; a plurality of movable ratchet racks alter nated with the stationary racks; asleeve to which the movable racks are connected which is mounted to slide over the stationary racks and their tubular support; and a cup support yieldablv supported in line with the-discharge end ofthe device.

4 A. packing device constructed set forth in claim 3 in which all the racks are annular segments in cross section and fit the interior of the aforesaid sleeve.

5. In a packing device for paper cups,

the combination of a plura-l'ity 'of' spaced stationary ratchet racks adapted to be positioned about the discharge orifice of a paper cup machine; a plurality of movable ratchet racksalternated with the stationary racks and adapted to be reciprocated in a direction parallel therewith; and a cup support yie'ldably supported inline with the dischar e end of the device, said support being adapted to carry a tubular carton within which the racks are adapted to 6X'.

tend.

6. A packing device constructed as set forth in claim 1 provided with means projecting inwardly beyond the points of the teeth of the ratchet racks and movable with the movable racks to carry each cup to a position for the engagement of its rim by the first tooth of each stationary rack.

7. A packing device constructed as set forth in claim 1 in which the racks are annular segments in cross section and which is providedwith a ring projecting inwardly beyond the points of the't'eeth of the ratchet racks and movable with the movable racks to carry each cup to a position for the engagement of its rim by the first tooth of each stationary rack.

Signed at London, Ontario, Canada this fourteenth day of April 1924.

PETER FLETCHER BUCHANAN i 

